RSPB Fairburn Ings

First time visiting this reserve. Beautiful walks between the River Aire and lagoons. As previously mentioned by other reviewers birds are far away so you do need good binoculars! However we saw a young stag deer just across the stream and the heron was close enough to take pictures with the phone. There is a wild bird feeding area but no feeders or tables to be seen so no birds around. Highlight of our day was a starling mermeration set against an amazing sunset! Also saw great crested grebe, pochard,goosander and cattle egret on the Highland cows in the distance. Will definitely visit again at a different time of year to see spoonbills etc who migrated. Free entry too which is always a bonus, just pay for parking.

Lovely place. Well taken care of. Plenty of birds to see, even in winter time. Car park has plenty of spaces, and if you have an RSPB membership it's free.

Fantastic reserve, on first visit got great views of kingfishers from both a hide and kingfisher viewing wall. Great walks with both water side and elevated reserve viewing points, lovely riverside walk, Highland cattle roam, squirrels run around all over, plenty bird varieties, a great place to visit and always something to see.

A well maintained nature reserve. Fairburn Ings is peaceful place for a walk or to birdwatch. There are many benches around the reserve where you can sit to admire the view and watch the birds. There is a short loop near the visitor centre with various ponds, board walks and little information boards. There is a longer loop around the larger areas of water and an out and back path to the village of Fairburn. Parking is free to members and £4 to none members. The visitors centre sells gifts and has a coffee machine and sells snacks. It doesn’t have a cafe but there are seats and a picnic area. The visitors centre has toilets that are open at the same times as the visitors centre. I noticed there is a mobility scooter then can be hired free of charge.

Proximity to the water's edge is a requirement for the detailed photography of the birds. This is more limited at Fairburn Ings than at other RSPB sites nearby. The hides are some distance from the subjects. This is fine for observation but not ideal for my style of bird photos.